Greater Rochester Triumph Touring Club
I was on my way to Pittsburgh for the Vintage Grand Prix and car show on July 17th in my '58 TR3A. About 30 miles from Erie, PA, my right rear tire self destructed. It didn't blow out, it blew apart. It made a terrible racket as I steered to the side of the road. The tire was falling off the rim, the tread had spearated, and the tube was hanging out. The spinning tread caught the fender brace behind the back wheel and bent half the fender to the inside. What a mess.
I put the spare on (it was older and in worse shape than the exploded tire) and drove carefully to a Firestone store in Erie. The fellow was very helpful but couldn't locate any 165 15 tires in Erie. Meanwhile, since I didn't trust my spare tire, I called for a tow and had to decide whether to just be towed back to Webster or on to Pittsburgh.
After a lot of calling, I was able to locate the Laural Gardens Tire Shop in northern Pittsburgh. He had 4 tires and I made an appointment to have them installed at 8:00 a.m. the next morning. So, we went to Pittsburgh in a flat bed truck. Two bits of good news: AAA paid for the tow and I didn't use a drop of gas from Erie to Pittsburgh!
The tires were installed and we got to the car show and eventually home without a problem.
Two lessons:
1. DON'T USE OLD TIRES ON YOUR CARS!
2. Always travel with your AAA card and a cell phone.
Ned Paulsen